Rabat, the underrated capital: what to do in 2 days

Rabat suffers from a paradox: as the Kingdom’s administrative capital, it’s often overlooked in favour of Marrakech, Fez or Casablanca. Yet it’s one of Morocco’s most pleasant cities, human-scale, with UNESCO-listed heritage and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than its larger neighbours.

Day 1: Kasbah of the Udayas and Hassan Tower

Start with the Kasbah of the Udayas, a fortified citadel of blue-and-white lanes perched at the mouth of the Bou Regreg facing the ocean — one of the finest urban walks in the country. Continue with the Hassan Tower, an unfinished 12th-century minaret, and the neighbouring Mausoleum of Mohammed V, historic symbols of the city. End the day at Rabat Beach, at the foot of the Kasbah, popular with families and surfers.

Day 2: Chellah and museums

The Chellah necropolis, mixing Roman ruins and Marinid monuments ringed by ramparts in a green setting, is a site few Moroccan cities can offer. For art lovers, the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the country’s first major modern-art museum, is worth a stop. Rabat’s medina, quieter than those of the other imperial cities, is well suited to strolling its craft souks and the Rue des Consuls.

Across the river: Salé

Take the Rabat-Salé tramway across the Bou Regreg to Salé, Rabat’s twin city. With its own medina and a more traditional feel, it’s an interesting contrast just minutes from the centre. Bou Regreg Marina, a contemporary riverside district, rounds out the visit nicely with its restaurants and views of the Kasbah.

Why Rabat is worth the detour

Fewer crowds, a calmer pace, and heritage just as rich as the major tourist cities — Rabat is often the pleasant surprise of a trip to Morocco. It’s also a logical stop between Casablanca and Tangier or Chefchaouen.

3 to 4 days let you explore Rabat in depth, but 2 days are enough for a good overview. All practical information is on our complete Rabat guide.